Italian Baked Chicken Pastina

Cozy up with a bite of comfort food perfection with this Italian Baked Chicken Pastina, a flavorful casserole that combines tender pastina pasta, shredded chicken, and a velvety Parmesan cheese sauce. Baked to golden-brown glory under a crispy panko breadcrumb topping, this dish is packed with rich, creamy textures and classic Italian seasonings. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, this recipe comes together with minimal effort, boasting a quick 20-minute prep time and a satisfying 30-minute bake. Garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor, it’s an irresistible crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite. Try this cheesy, hearty dish today for an ultimate comfort food experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Pastina pasta
• 2 cups Cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 4 cups Chicken broth
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of chicken broth to a boil. Add the pastina pasta, and cook according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.

Step 5

Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until it melts and the sauce thickens. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Remove from heat.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pastina, shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, and the prepared cheese sauce. Mix until well combined.

Step 7

Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the casserole.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2473.4 grams (2473.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4620

Total Fat 202.60g	260%
Saturated Fat 107.30g	537%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 908mg	303%
Sodium 7839mg	341%
Total Carbohydrate 378.70g	138%
Dietary Fiber 17.00g	61%
Total Sugars 13.00g
Protein 295.30g	591%

Vitamin D 6IU	28%
Calcium 2374mg	183%
Iron 19mg	107%
Potassium 2700mg	57%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.3%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 33.5%